Interviews can be difficult and stressful regardless of where you are in your career. The application process can be extremely time-consuming, so when you finally land an interview, it’s normal to stress about providing the best possible answers tocommon interview questions.
Most likely, that will mean being able to talk about your prior experience and how it’s prepared you for the role. These types of questions are designed to ensure that you're the candidate bestsuitedto the job.
Some variations on this question include:
- Tell me about your work experience.
- Describe your related experience.
- Howdoesyourprior experience prepare you for this job?
- Do you think your experience matches the needs of the role?
- Do you think you're qualified for this position?
What the Interviewer Wants to Know
Hiring managers, recruiters, and employers ask these questions to get a better understanding of how your background and work experience relate to the position they are looking to fill.
Note
Your previous experience serves as an indicator of whether or not you will be a valuable asset and a good fit for the company.
Avoid answering toobroadly. Try using specific examples of how past work mightprepare you for the new role. The closer a matchyouare to the job requirements, the better your chances of being selected for an interview.
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Watch Now: 3 Ways to Answer "Tell Me About Your Work Experience"
How to Answer Interview Questions About Your Experience
The most effective response is to describe your responsibilities and accomplishments in detail and connect them to the job for which you are interviewing.
Link your responsibilities to those listed in thejob descriptionfor the new position so the employer will beabletosee that you have the qualifications necessary to do the job. Focus mostly on previous responsibilities directly related to the newjob's requirements.
Examples of the Best Answers
Example Answer #1
My years of experience have prepared me well for this position. You mentioned that customer service is a big part of this job; I spent three years working in a high-volume call center, answering customer calls, and identifying solutions.
Why It Works: This answer references specific experience and skills that are valuable to the job (and probably appear in the job description).
Example Answer #2
I developed extensive skills working with customers even when they were distressed. I'm excellent at de-escalating situations and finding a way to make the customer happy. Our customer satisfaction rating rose 10% during my tenure at my previous employer. Since the role of your marketing department is to improve customers' impressions of the company, my experience would be a great asset to your team.
Why It Works: In this response, the candidate quantifies their success in a prior role. By being specific, they give the interviewer proof of their ability to do the job. The candidate also explains how they could help the company if they were to be hired.
Example Answer #3
I worked as a kennel assistant at a local animal hospital during the summer before my freshman year of college. It was there I discovered what I wanted to do asa career. I decided I would go to college and focus on becoming a small-animal veterinarian, so that's what Idid. I have been working at the same animal hospital ever since.
Why It Works: This reply demonstrates experience in the field, career growth, and loyalty. It shows that the candidate is thoughtful and intentional about their career.
Tips for Giving the Best Answer
Quantify your response. The interviewer is looking to hire the candidate who can best solve a problem for the company, whether that’s boosting sales, acquiring customers, or hitting some other metric.
Statistics are particularly persuasive. Showing that you increased sales by X percent or saved the company Y amount of money provides a hiring manager with a compelling argument for offering you the job. Use numbers and percentages to show what you have accomplished.
Demonstrate proficiency in the skills highlighted in the job description. Your ability to describe your former work experience effectively will help you stand out from the rest of the applicant pool. Providing specific, quantifiable proof of your accomplishments, work ethic, and knowledge will show employers that you have transferable experience that will benefit their workplace.
Have alternative answers ready. It's always a good idea to come prepared with several responses in case your interviewer changes tack and asks about another aspect of your experience. Know your resume well, and be prepared to discuss anything that's on it.
What Not to Say
Don’t memorize your responses. It’s important to practice answering questions, but you also want to sound relaxed and natural, so don't try to learn your answers by rote. Instead of practicing your responses line by line, just focus on the key points to emphasize to get your point across to the interviewer.
Don’t lie.It's also important to be honest and accurate. Don't embellish your job because you don't know who the hiring manager will be speaking with when they check your references. Even if they don’t follow up in depth, you don’t want to spend the rest of your career waiting to be found out—orto talk your way into a role for which you’re currently unprepared.
Possible Follow-Up Questions
- What can you do for this company? - Best Answers
- What can you do better for us than the other candidates for the job? - Best Answers
- Why should we hire you? - Best Answers
- Why are you the best person for the job? - Best Answers
- How do you handle failure? - Best Answers
- How do you handle success? - Best Answers
- What do you find are the most difficult decisions to make? - Best Answers
- Why do you want this job? - Best Answers
More Interview Questions and Answers
Review more interview questions that employers frequently ask, tips for responding, and examples of the best answers.
Key Takeaways
Match your experience to the job description. Emphasize the experience and qualifications that will help you achieve success in the role.
Be specific and quantify your results. Statistics are particularly persuasive. Use numbers and percentages to show your accomplishments.
Don't memorize your responses. Practice, but don’t learn your answers by rote. Be prepared to improvise if your interviewer changes track.
Be honest. Don't embellish or oversell your ability to do the job. It's important that your skills are a good fit, both for you and the employer.
